Normally-closed openable closure device

ABSTRACT

There are provided a system and a method for implementing a normally-closed but openable closure device ( 20 ) for a fluid-retaining container ( 10 ) having a container orifice ( 11 ). The closure device prevents unintentional spilling of substance out of an opening, which is disposed in fluid communication with the orifice, by urging a lid ( 32 ) to seal the opening closed. For retrieval of substance out of the container, a member of a flow control implement, such as pertaining to a faucet ( 60 ) for example, is introduced into the closure device. The introduction of the implement forces the lid open, and allows retrieval of substance out of the container.

The present application is a Continuation of PCT/IL 2008/001375 filed on22 Oct. 2008.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the reversible closure of an orificeopened in containers such as tanks and vessels, and in particular to amethod for implementing normally-closed support-mounted opening closuresystems and devices for closing such orifices.

DEFINITIONS

A fluid is a gas or a liquid, including powder or granular material ableto be poured through a container's orifice.

A container is a recipient, vessel, or any kind of reservoir containinga fluid.

BACKGROUND ART

Vessels such as fluid containers often include an orifice to which acover is usually detachably attached by means of threads, bayonets,frictional forces and the like. Many such covers are provided with amouth to which anti-spillage means of various sorts, a tap or similarmeans are attached, for filling the containers and for pouring theircontents therethrough. It is also common practice to detachably connectsuch taps or similar means to the orifice of the container by means ofscrew threads or other known means. Taps or faucets of common designusually protrude to the outside of the envelope of the container and aretherefore prone to damage, especially during storage or transportation.It is therefore desirable to find a way to prevent spillage of thecontainer's contents while avoiding damage to the tap or to otherclosing means. One solution used to prevent such damage is by removingthe tap from the orifice during transportation or storage, replacing itwith a plug and or other suitable means, and installing the tap back onthe container when needed. Unfortunately, this procedure is cumbersomeand permits spillage. Many patents address this issue, but two patentsrelevant to the proposed solution are referred to hereinbelow.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,805,266 to Doron, Av et al. recites a normally-openclosure, which is an internally attached and pivot-mounted flap made tocover the interior surface of a container's orifice when so urged bypressure of a liquid when the container is tilted. The flap is openableby depressing a spring loaded pin protruding to the exterior of thecontainer.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,305,196 to Schlabauch, Lewis et al. shows an internallymounted, spring loaded, normally closed semi-ball type valve supportedby an appropriate structure, the valve being openable by depressing thesemi-ball with a draft rod.

Both U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,305,196 and 6,805,266 offer rather complex deviceshaving many parts and are therefore expensive to assemble.

It would therefore be desirable to provide a normally closed orificeclosure for a container, that is simple and reliable and low-cost toimplement and assemble, cheap to buy, and easy to use.

It would also be beneficial to provide a simple and inexpensivecontainer closure for the openable closing of an orifice of a container,the closure not being prone to incur damage during handling and use ofthe container. The container closure should preferably be configured foruse alone or in association with other closure means such as taps,faucets, or plugs.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

When opening a container of fluid, such as for example an industrialcontainer holding nocive or dangerous material, the problem is thataccidental or unintentional spilling of substance thereout may occur.After opening, an implement is usually connected to the container toallow controlled retrieval of matter.

The solution is provided by coupling a normally closed openable closuredevice to the container, to prevent accidental spilling. As a practicalsolution, the closure device has a unitary one-piece member including aclosure lid, which is forced onto the opening. The closure device may becoupled to a support attached to the container. For use, a fluid flowcontrol means, say a faucet, is coupled to the closure device to allowopening of the lid, for safe and monitored retrieval of fluid. It is theintroduction of the faucet that urges the normally closed closure deviceto open and permit safe retrieval of substance out of the container.

SUMMARY

It is an object of the present invention to provide a simple andinexpensive method for implementing an assembly or a system which have anormally-closed opening closure device for the openable closing of anorifice entered in a container of fluid, wherein the opening closure isnot prone to damage incurred during handling and use of the container.The opening closure device is configured for use alone or in combinationwith other fluid flow control means such as faucets, taps, or plugs.

It is yet an object of the present invention to provide method steps forimplementing a normally closed openable closure device operative inassociation with a container having an exterior and an interior. Thecontainer has container walls for retaining fluid therein and at leastone container orifice, which is entered into a container wall. A supportis coupled in sealed connection to the orifice of the container, thesupport including an opening allowing fluid communication from theexterior to the interior of the container and vice versa. The methodcomprises the steps of configuring the support to include a supportattachment in fixed coupling thereto and a member formed as a piece ofmaterial accommodated for coupling to the support attachment in aconfiguration allowing at least one degree of freedom of motion. Themember comprises:

a lid, disposed at a free end portion of the member, and configured forclosing the opening in normally-closed and sealed disposition,

a lid attachment for coupling to the support attachment,

a flexible and resilient force applicator configured for urging the lidnormally-close against and for sealing the opening, and

a lid guide configured for controllably orienting and guiding motion ofthe member and of the lid for closing onto the opening.

It is still an object of the present invention to provide a method forcoupling the support to the orifice in either one of both releasable andfixed connection, however the support may also be integral to thecontainer.

It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a methodfor enhancing sealing by providing a seal coupled to either one of boththe lid and the support which seal is appropriately disposed to enhancesealing of the opening. Furthermore, a seal may be appropriatelydisposed on the support to enhance sealed connection between the supportand the container.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide amethod wherein the lid attachment, the lid guide and the supportattachment are configured for operation in mutual association forcontrolling, orienting, and guiding the lid onto and for normally closeand seal the opening. Moreover, at least one portion of the member isconfigured to be flexible and resilient, and furthermore, the member isconfigured to be flexible and resilient and have a free end and anattached end, and the attached end is configured as the lid attachmentand as a force applicator, which may be pre-stressed. Additionally, theattached end of the member is configured as the lid guide.

It is moreover an object of the present invention to provide a methodwherein the lid is either one of both an integral portion of the memberor a separate portion fixedly coupled thereto, and the lid has arigidity enhancing bent lid rim lip.

It is moreover another object of the present invention to provide amethod wherein the support is coupled to either one of both the interiorand the exterior of the container, with the lid being normally closedbut openable when urged to deflect by application of a predeterminedforce directed from the exterior to the interior of the container.

It is moreover a further object of the present invention to provide amethod wherein the member has a surface finish treatment or coatingwhich is disposed at least on a portion of the device, and the surfacefinish treatment or coating is disposed at least on the lid, to operateas a seal.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a methodwherein the member has at least one protrusion configured to enhanceorientation control and guidance of the lid to close on the opening, theleast one protrusion being configured to enhance coupling to thesupport.

It is yet still another object of the present invention to provide amethod wherein the closure device is configured to include at least onemagnet operative in mutual association with either one of both aferromagnetic material and a magnetic material for applying additionalpositive attraction force for urging the lid close onto the opening, andthe at least one magnet is disposed on either one of both the supportand the lid. Likewise, the lid may have a concave portion orientedtoward the opening to enhance both self-alignment of the lid on theopening and sealed closure of the opening.

It is yet an object of the present invention to provide a method whereinthe closure device is configured for coupling to a removable fluid flowcontrol means and is also configured for receiving therein a removablecap or sealing plug, which is configured for reversible removal whileremaining coupled to the support.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a methodwherein the lid and the flexible member are configured as two separateportions coupled together to form one unitary member, and the attachmentsupport is disposed in the interior of the container and coupled to thecontainer by a flange disposed on the exterior thereof.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a methodwherein the lid attachment of the member is coupled directly to thecontainer, which is operative as a support.

It is yet an additional object of the present invention to provide amethod wherein deflection of the member induces elastic resilient forcesin the force applicator thereby urging the lid to close onto theopening. The member is configured to be flexible and resilient and havea free end and a attached end, the force applicator being configured asa wound-coil formed at the attached end of the member, and pre-stress ofthe force applicator urges the lid to close onto the opening.Furthermore, the member is urged to align onto and close the opening ina motion selected alone and in combination from the group consisting oftranslation, pitch, yaw, and roll deflection.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method wherein awall of the container operates as the support and the orifice of thecontainer operates as the opening. Alternatively, the support is coupledto a wall of the container and the orifice of the container operates asthe opening.

Finally, it is further an additional object of the present invention toprovide an assembly or a device for keeping an opening normally closedaccording to any one of the method steps described hereinabove.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Non-limiting embodiments of the invention will be described withreference to the following description of exemplary embodiments, inconjunction with the figures. The figures are generally not shown toscale and any measurements are only meant to be exemplary and notnecessarily limiting. In the figures, identical structures, elements, orparts that appear in more than one figure are preferably labeled with asame or similar number in all the figures in which they appear, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a conceptual block diagram of a closure device,

FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate a first embodiment of the closure device,

FIGS. 4 and 5, and 5 a depict a second embodiment of the closure device,

FIGS. 6 and 7 show a third embodiment of the closure device,

FIGS. 8 and 8.1 show a lid with a depression,

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate a fourth embodiment of the closure device,

FIGS. 10 a to 10 c depict a fifth embodiment of the closure device,

FIG. 11 is an illustration of another embodiment, and

FIG. 12 depicts a more elaborate block diagram of a closure device.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a container 10 having an orifice 11 towhich a closure device 20 is coupled in sealed retention. A bushing-likesupport 40, shown as an inverted capital letter U and having an opening12 is engaged in sealed coupling to the orifice 11.

The closure device 20 has a member 30, which normally closes the opening12 in sealed disposition. The member 30, which is actually coupled incantilever-like fashion to the support 40, is able to deflect andextends longitudinally to terminate in a lid 32, which forcefully closesthe opening 12.

The support 40 has a support attachment 42 that is coupled to a lidattachment 34 forming the cantilever-like coupling of the member 30carrying the lid 32. When the lid attachment 34 is coupled to thesupport attachment 42, in cantilevered-like fashion, the member 30 mayelastically and resiliently deflect thereabout.

A force applicator 36, also coupled to the support 40, is provided forurging the lid 32, disposed at the free end of the member 30, onto theopening 12. The lid 32 is thus urged by the force applicator 36 as anormally closed lid onto the opening 12, for closing and sealing theopening 12.

In addition, a lid guide 38 coupled to the attachment 40 controls theorientation of the deflection motion and possible translation of thecantilevered-like retained member 30 and lid 32. Control or orientationcontrol of the motion of the lid 32, as well as of the member 30, meanscontrol of the orientation of the lid in pitch, yaw and roll relative tothe length of the member 30, and possibly in translation, to achieveappropriate self-alignment for effectively closing and sealing theopening 12.

FIG. 1 thus represents a closure device 20 having a support 40 and amember 30 for sealing close an opening 12. The member 30 is possiblymanufactured as a unitary, single piece of material that is coupled tothe support 40, which is engaged in the orifice of the container 10. Theunitary member 30 may be implemented as one piece of material configuredto perform as a lid attachment 34, as a force applicator 36, and as alid guide 38, as well as a lid 32 for sealing the opening 12. In FIG. 1the closure device 20 and the member 30 are divided into functional orlogical portions, which do not correspond to physical portions ofimplementation.

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary embodiment 1000 of the concept describedaccording to FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 relates to a container 10, not shown, having walls, for example astandard oil drum having a container bottom from the periphery fromwhich container sidewalls rise forming container lateral walls that areclosed by a container top wherein the container orifice 11 is entered.For the sake of clarity, the container top and the container orifice 11are the only portions of the container 10 shown in FIG. 2.

In FIG. 2 the container 10 is shown to have a container exterior EXseparated by a container top 14 from a container interior IN. Evidently,the container walls and the container bottom, not shown, also separatethe exterior EX from the interior IN of the container 10. A bushing 100that implements the support 40, is inserted, say from the exterior EXtoward the interior IN, into an orifice 102 opened in the container top14. The bushing 100 may be disposed in sealed engagement and retained inthe container top 14 for example by a male screw thread 104 disposed onthe bushing and configured to engage a matching female screw thread 16disposed on the interior of the orifice 12. The bushing 100 may becoupled in sealed engagement to the container top 14, or to any otherportion of the walls of the container 10 by other means known to theart, such as swaging and welding for example.

The bushing 100 has a hollow passage 106 allowing fluid communicationfrom the interior IN to the exterior EX of the container 10 and viceversa. The hollow passage 106 is not necessarily concentric, and isterminated by the opening 12 disposed in the interior IN of thecontainer 10, and by an aperture 108 opening to the exterior EX of thecontainer. The bushing 100 also has a bushing bottom 110 on which thelid 32 of the closure device 20 abuts, in the interior IN.

The member 30 is shown as a leaf spring having a rectangular attachedend 302 that may be fixedly retained or anchored in a groove 112disposed in the bushing bottom 110. The attached end 302 forms the lidattachment 34 while the groove 112 implements the support attachment 42.The attached end 302 may be firmly attached in the groove 112 byfriction achieved for example by providing a plastic deformation to theattached end 302 before insertion into the groove, or by any other meansknown in the art. The attached end 302 may also be anchored to orfloatingly retained within the support attachment 42, 112, by plasticdeformation of the latter, or by other means retention means known tothose skilled in the art.

Furthermore, the member 30 may have a curved portion 304 forming theforce applicator 36, implemented as a flexible and resilient curved leafspring that is configured for urging the lid 32 onto the opening 12. Theattached end 302 and the curved portion 304 shown in FIG. 2 may beimplemented out of a rectangular piece of thin material, such as anappropriate leaf or sheet of metal, which is treated and curved tobecome a force applicator 36 that may be pre-stressed to forcefully sealthe opening 12.

The free end extremity of the member 30 forms the lid 32 having a shapeappropriate to fully cover and seal the opening 12. For example, whenthe passage 106 of the bushing 100 ends in an opening 12 that iscircular, then the lid 32 may also be circular. Other mutually matchingshapes for the lid 32 and for the opening 12 are also possible. In thepresent example, the member 30 may be initially configured, thus priorto bending, as a flat elongated rectangular strip of material, formingthe lid attachment 34 and the force applicator 36, and terminated by agenerally circular lid 32. Only circular lids 32 are describedhereinbelow, for the sake of ease of description.

If desired, a flat elongated rectangular strip and the lid 32 may beimplemented as more than one single piece of material. The flatelongated rectangular strip may be made out of more than a single strip,and even be replaced by one or more thin wires or slender rods.

FIG. 2 depicts that if desired, the closure device 20 may include asealing plug 50, or cap 50 shown schematically only, that is received inthe closure device 20 for the releasable capping and sealing-off of theaperture 108 of the bushing 100, to prevent unintentional opening of thenormally closed lid 32 during handling or transportation for example.The cap 50 may have a male cap screw thread 52 configured to engage amatching female screw thread 113 disposed in continuation of a bushingentrance 114 opening to the exterior EX at a bushing top 116.

Furthermore, the cap 50 may remain permanently coupled to the bushing100 by means of a link 54, say a chain or a cable, that is fixedlycoupled to the cap 50 and to the bushing 100 by means not shown in theFigs., but well known in the art. The link 54 is provided to avoid lossor misplacement of the cap 50. It is noted that the link 54 and thecoupling thereof to the cap 50 and to the bushing 100 are shown onlyschematically, without illustrating implementation details.

To draw fluid out of a container 10 fitted with a normally closedclosure device 20, a fluid flow control means, for example, a faucet 60or a similar device may be used, as shown in FIG. 3.

In FIG. 3 a fluid flow control means 60 such as a faucet 60 having afaucet end portion 61 with a matching faucet male screw thread 62 isshown engaged within the passage female screw thread 118 disposed in theinterior of the hollow passage 106. Thereby, the faucetthreaded-extremity 64 may be engaged to protrude out of the bushingbottom 110 and into the interior IN of the container 10. While beingintroduced into the passage female screw thread 118, the faucetthreaded-extremity 64 first abuts against and then displaces the lid 32against the force applicator 36, by deflection of the member 30. Oncethe lid 32 is displaced out of sealing closure of the opening 12, andthe valve 66 of the faucet 60 is opened, fluid communication isestablished between the exterior EX and the interior IN of the container10, and vice versa. When the faucet 60 is retrieved out of the bushing100, the flexible and resilient force applicator 36 will return the lid32, under control of the lid guide 38, in position to close the opening12 in sealed closure.

It is noted that the force needed for opening the lid 32 is controllableand predetermined as desired and the necessary precautions are taken toprevent self-locking of the faucet end portion 61 with the lid 32 whenretrieving the faucet 60 out of engagement from the closure device 20.Furthermore, the closure device 20 is configured to retrieve the maximumpossible amount of fluid out of the container 10, leaving therein but aminimum of residuum.

Evidently, the closure device 20 may be implemented as an integralportion of the container 10, and the container may be made for example,out of plastic material, metal, any suitable material or a combinationthereof.

FIG. 4 presents a second embodiment 2000 of the container closure 20.

In FIG. 4 the member 30 is shown as being generally planar but for a lidattachment 34 that is rolled-up and firmly coupled or anchored into arecess 120 entered in the bushing bottom 110 of the bushing 100. Therolled-up lid attachment 34 is formed as a wound coil coupled end 306 ofthe member 30, which is configured substantially as a wound coil leafspring. The rolled-up lid attachment 34 may be wound or coiled inclock-wise or anti-clockwise as desired.

The wound coil coupled end 306 integrates the functions of both the lidattachment 34 anchored into the recess 120, and of the force applicator36, where the force is provided by the wound coil.

Furthermore, the wound coil coupled end 306 is also configured as thelid guide 38 that controls the orientation of the member 30 as furtherdescribed hereinbelow.

FIG. 5 is a partial bottom elevation of the bushing bottom 110 of thebushing 100, showing an exemplary parallelepiped recess 120. Theparallelepiped shape of the recess 120 is configured for snuglyreceiving and anchoring therein, and for controlling the orientation ofthe wound coil coupled end 306, or wound coil 306 for short, whereby theorientation of the member 30 is also controlled.

FIG. 5 a is a view of the embodiment 2000 of the closure device 20showing the open lid 32. In this example the lid 32 is coupled to themember 30, even though the lid 32 is preferably implemented as anintegral portion of the member. The wound coil 306 is shown and so areslits 124 and magnets 80, which enhance the closure forces of the lid 32onto the opening 12.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate an exemplary embodiment 3000 aimed at improvingthe lid guidance function of the lid guide 38. Reference is made to aset of right-hand Cartesian coordinates, with the x-axis being takenalong the length of the member 30. Pitch, yaw and roll of the member 30are relative to pivoting about the, respectively, y-axis, z-axis, andx-axis.

FIG. 6 shows that the lid attachment 34 at the attached end 302extremity of the member 30 may be configured to have two protrusions 308that protrude laterally out of the wound coil 306. The two protrusions308 are configured for coupling the member 30 to the support 40, and forguidance and orientation of the lid 32 onto the opening 12. Both thesupport 40 and the opening 12 are not shown in FIG. 6.

In FIG. 7, the length of the parallelepiped recess 120 of FIG. 5 isshown to be extended on both opposite sides by a slit 124 to now form anprotrusion-recess 122 for receiving the wound coil 306 and the twoprotrusions 308 therein. The protrusion-recess 122 is thus animplementation of the support attachment 42. The slits 124 are providedfor receiving therein each one of the two protrusions 308, orprotrusions 308. The protrusion-recess 122 is configured for receivingand for retaining therein the wound coil 306, and for controlling motionand orientation of the member 30 for application of the lid 32 onto theopening 12. The lateral protrusions 308 enhance control of yaw and rollorientation of the member 30 to ensure a sealing closure fit of the lid32 on the opening 12.

Reference is made to FIGS. 6 and 7. When the lateral protrusions 308 arefixedly coupled into the slits 124, such as by tight-fit, the member 30,and the lid 32, are restricted to motion in only one degree of freedom,which is deflection in pitch. Tight-fit refers also to pressure-fit orforce-fit, to retention of the protrusions 308 into the slits 124 byplastic deformation of the latter, or retention by other means known inthe art. If desired, the wound coil 306 may also be fixedly retainedwithin the parallelepiped portion 120 of the protrusion-recess 122 toallow only deflection in pitch of the member 30. Thereby, thedisplacement of the member 30 is limited to only one degree of freedom,namely to pitch, which is the deflection about the y-axis.

In contrast, when the slits 124 are configured to receive the lateralprotrusions 308 in sliding-fit or slidingly retention, the lateralprotrusions 308 may slide in translation within and along the slits 124.Sliding-fit refers to a narrow clearance just allowing for translationin sliding, but practically without any other motion of the protrusions308. Thereby, the member 30 is not fixedly cantilevered for pivotingabout a single location but the lateral protrusions 308 may “float”along the height, or the depth of the slits 124. This travel ortranslation along the height of the protrusions-recesses 122, or“floating”, allows the displacement of the member 30 in two degrees offreedom, namely in pitch and translation in height. Height refers hereto the displacement of the lateral protrusions 308 in translation, andthus also of the member 30 and of the lid 32 along the height, or thedepth of the slits 124 of the protrusion-recess 122, thus along thez-axis.

However, with appropriately dimensioned slits 124, slidingly retentionof the lateral protrusions 308 may also allow translation thereofwithout the protrusions remaining at the same height, or level, but alsowith both lateral protrusions 308 being disposed at different heights,or in oblique relative, for example, to the bushing bottom 110. Therebythe elongated member 30 may roll about its longitudinal x-axis. Theslidingly retention, or translational “floating” displacement of themember 30, and thus of the lid 32 now allows displacement in threedegrees of freedom, namely in pitch, in roll, and translation in height.

Furthermore, when the slits 124 are configured to receive the lateralprotrusions 308 in loose-fit, thus with larger clearance than insliding-fit, an additional degree of freedom is created, allowing thedisplacement of the member 30, and thus of the lid 32 in four degrees offreedom, namely in pitch, in roll, in yaw, and in translation along theheight. Yaw is pivoting about the z-axis.

The retention of the member 30 to the support 40 in “floating”attachment with many degrees of freedom permits self-alignment of thelid 32 onto the opening 12 and enhances closure thereof. Thereby, whenin production, at the stage of assembly of the closure device 20, it isnot necessary to very accurately align the member 30 in theprotrusion-recess 122 to ensure proper closure of the opening 12 by thelid 32.

The lateral protrusions 308 may be prevented from exiting out of theslits 124 by terminating the opening of these slits with a narrowerportion. For example, a plastic deformation may restrict the width ofthe slits 124 on the bushing bottom 110 after insertion of the lateralprotrusions 308 therein.

The wound coil 306 may be pre-stressed before installation of the twoprotrusions 308 into the protrusion-recess 122, to provide the member 30and thus also the lid 32 with additional pre-loaded closure force ontothe opening 12.

The member 30 of the embodiment 3000 still combines the lid 32, the lidattachment 34, the force applicator 36, and the lid guide 38 but it isthe wound coil 306 that now integrates all the three functions of thelid attachment 34, the force applicator 36, and the lid guide 38. Themid-section 301, which is preferably kept short and even practicallynon-existent, is the section that couples between the lid 32 and the lidattachment 34.

FIGS. 4 and 8 depict examples of the embodiment 3000, showing how thehermetical sealing of the lid 32 against the opening 12 may be enhanced.

In FIG. 4 it is shown that a lid seal 70 may be added to the bushingbottom 110 around the opening 12. The lid seal 70 is possibly configuredas an O-Ring, which is a Trademark, seated in a matching lid seal groove126. Other seals known to the art may also be selected for the samepurpose. Alternatively, a lid seal may be coupled to the lid 32 to sealagainst the bushing bottom 110, but preferably the lid is kept alightweight as possible.

FIG. 8 illustrates an alternative self-alignment sealing enhancementmethod, wherein the lid 32 has a concave depression 322 configured tomatch and to partially protrude into the opening 12. The concavedepression 322 stiffens and adds to the rigidity of the lid 32, and sodoes a peripheral pan-like bend, such as a swaged bent lid rim lip,shown in FIG. 10 c.

FIG. 8.1 depicts another embodiment where the force applicator 36 has awound coil coupled end 306 that is coiled in the opposite directionrelative to FIG. 8.

FIG. 4, which is now referred to again, illustrates an example of howthe hermetical sealing of the bushing 100 against the container 10 maybe enhanced.

FIG. 4 shows that a support seal 72 or bushing seal 72 may be added tothe bushing head 128. The bushing seal 72 is possibly configured as anO-Ring, which is a Trademark, seated in a matching bushing seal groove130 disposed in the bushing head 128 on the bushing head face 132abutting the container 10. Other seals known to the art may also beselected for the same purpose.

Even though the force applicator 36 provides ample closing forcestrongly urging the lid 32 against the opening 12, magnetic force isapplicable to even further increase the closing force.

In FIG. 4, a magnet 80 may be embedded and fixedly retained in amatching magnet receptacle 134 disposed on the bushing bottom 110 andopposite to the lid 32, preferably opposite the lid free extremity 324.For the purpose of force enhancement, more magnets 80 may be embedded inthe bushing bottom 110 if desired. One or more magnets 80 disposedpreferably on the support 40, or on the bushing bottom 110 in FIG. 4,may apply positive attraction forces on the lid 32 when made out offerromagnetic material, and enhance the closure of the lid on theopening 12.

Should the lid 32 not be made out of a ferromagnetic material, then sucha material may be attached to the lid. Alternatively, one or moremagnets may be affixed to the lid 32. Likewise, should the bushing 100not be made out of a ferromagnetic material, then such a material may beattached to the bushing bottom 110, possibly in the same manner as themagnet 80, or even as one or more magnets.

It is noted that the lid 32 and the non-attached portion of the member30, thus without the weight of the lid attachment 34, the forceapplicator 36, and lid guide 38, are best kept as lightweight aspossible. This is to minimize acceleration forces developing thereonfrom opening the lid 32 when the container 10 is dropped for example, oras a result of shocks and vibrations, say during transportation. Theclosure forces exerted by the force applicator 36 are kept as large aspossible relative to the weight of the non-retained portion of themember 30.

For example with a closure device 20 configured to normally close an oildrum, the arm 30 may weigh about 15 grams and the force applicator 36may apply onto the opening 12 a force, measured at the center of the lid32, of some 450 grams. When enhanced by magnet(s) 80, the opening forcemay typically reach some 2 kg. The opening force required to open theclosure device 20 is controllable, and a predetermined opening force isselected as desired for the application at hand. The lid 32 is thusnormally closed but is openable when urged to deflect by application ofa predetermined force, selected a priori. The opening force in thisexample is directed from the exterior EX to the interior IN of thecontainer 10, but the opposite is also possible.

Repetitive drop tests from a height of 3 m onto a concrete floor provedthe sealing efficiency of the device 20.

The embodiment 2000 may operate in association with a fluid flow controlmeans, such as a faucet 60, and may have a cap 50 in the same manner asdescribed hereinabove with respect to the embodiment 1000.

FIG. 9 illustrates a fourth embodiment 4000 having an inverted bushing101 which engages the orifice 102 from the interior IN of the container10.

In FIG. 9 the inverted bushing 101 is shown to be introduced into theorifice 102 and protruding thereout to the exterior EX, to be retainedby a flange 90 to the container top 14. The inverted bushing 101 has amale screw thread 104 configured to engage a matching female screwthread 92 disposed on the flange 90, and also has an interior passage106 providing fluid communication between the exterior EX and theinterior IN. If desired, the bushing 101 may be fastened to thecontainer top 14 by means known to those skilled in the art, without theneed for a flange 90.

In FIG. 10, which is an upside-down detail, two bushing posts 140, eachhaving a cut 142 therein, operate as support attachment 42, which isfixedly retain the member 30 in anchored position. The bushing bottom110 thus supports the two bushing posts 140 that anchor the protrusions308 into the cuts 142, in appropriate distanced apart separation.

A lid seal 70 and/or a bushing seal 72 may also be implemented similarlyto the embodiment 2000. Furthermore, a cap 50, not shown in FIGS. 8 and9, may be provided to engage either the male screw thread 104 disposedon the exterior of the inverted bushing 101, or an internal female screwthread 118 disposed on the interior of the hollow passage 106.

Assembly of the normally closed opening closure device isstraightforward: the member 30 is simply coupled to the support 40. Withthe first embodiment 1000 this means that the cantilevered end 302 ofthe member 30 is introduced into the groove 112 in firm securedretention therein. This may be achieved by friction due to prior toassembly plastic deformation of the cantilevered end 302 and/or byplastic deformation of the groove 112 after insertion therein of thecantilevered end 302 to prevent exit thereof out of the groove 112. Asimilar assembly procedure is valid for the second embodiment 2000.

The assembly of the third and fourth embodiment, respectively 3000 and4000, requires the insertion of the laterally extending protrusions 308into the, respectively, slit 124 and cut 142. Preferably, the member 30is pre-stressed prior to assembly into the support attachment 42. Topre-stress the wound coil 306 of the force applicator 36, the lid 32 isheld in place while a first laterally extending protrusion 308 isgripped and rotated to wind-up the coil 306. Then, the second protrusion308 is inserted into the, respectively, slit 124 and cut 142, which isfollowed by release of the grip and insertion of the previously grippedfirst protrusion 308. If desired, plastic deformation of the,respectively, slit 124 and cut 142 may follow.

FIGS. 10 a, 10 b, and 10 c show an embodiment 5000, where the device 20is coupled from the interior IN to the exterior EX of a vessel 10 havinga container top 14 with an orifice 11 therein. As shown in FIGS. 10 aand 10 b, the device 20 may be swaged, or otherwise fixedly attached toand become an integral portion of the vessel 10. The support attachment42 is implemented as a bracket 141 having a flat elongated back portion143 coupled to the support 40 and two substantially perpendicular sidelegs 144 presenting cuts 142 for receiving the protrusions 308 therein.Plastic deformation of the side legs 144 may be used to retain themember 30 fixedly retained to the bracket 141.

FIG. 10 c shows the lid 32 with a swaged or bent stiffening lid rim lip145 for enhancing rigidity and for preventing self-locking when a fluidflow control means is retrieved out of the device 20.

The closure device 20 is not limited to oil drums but adaptable for usewith various types of containers, reservoirs and tanks, such as forexample Intermediate Bulk Containers, or IBCs, and gas tanks for motorvehicles, all well known in the art.

FIG. 11 is a schematic partial cross-section illustrating an example ofthe use of a closure device 20 with a standard Intermediate BulkContainer 150, or IBC 150 for short. Seals are omitted for the sake ofclarity. The IBC 150 has an IBC orifice 152 terminated by a protrudingIBC male extension 154 with an IBC external screw thread 156 to which afirst upstream end of a hollow connector bushing 158 having a matingfemale internal connector screw thread 160 may be coupled. The IBC 150has an interior IN and an exterior EX.

The closure device 20 may be introduced into the connector bushing 158until abutment with the protruding extremity 162 of the protruding maleextension 154. Next, a retention ring 164 having an external male screwthread 156 mating with the internal connector female screw thread 160may be introduced into the connector bushing 158 until the closuredevice 20 is firmly pushed against the protruding extremity 162 of theprotruding male extension 154. The retention ring 164 may have fasteningslots 168 for facilitating assembly.

If desired, the connector bushing 158 may be supplied readilyintegrating the closure device 20 therein, thereby possibly making theretention ring 164 redundant. Alternatively, the IBC 150 may be suppliedwith an integrally built-in closure device 20, whereby the connectorbushing 158 is superfluous.

At this stage the lid 32 of the closure device 20 is still normallyclosed on the orifice 12, as shown by the dashed line 166, therebydenying any exit of fluid out of the orifice 152 of the IBC 150.

A fluid flow control means 170, such as a faucet device 170 having afaucet external male screw thread 172 mating the internal connectorfemale screw thread 160 may be coupled until abutment to a seconddownstream end 169 of the connector bushing 158. The faucet device 170has a faucet hollow male protrusion 174 with a faucet downstreamextremity 176, which when introduced into the closure device 20, isconfigured to push open the lid 32, whereby fluid communication betweenthe IBC 150 and the faucet 170 is established.

To retrieve fluid out of the IBC 150 once the faucet 170 is properlyinstalled, it suffices to open the faucet. When necessary, such as fortransportation for example, the faucet 170 may be retrieved out ofconnector bushing 158 and the IBC 150 will remain closed by the closuredevice 20, which prevents spilling of the fluid thereout. An IBC 150equipped with a closure device 20 may be emptied with a minimum ofresiduum remaining therein.

With motor vehicles, the fuel or gas tank may easily be equipped with aclosure device 20. In a passenger car, the gas tank cap may beconfigured to accommodate or integrate therein the closure device 20.Thereby, when refueling, the gas tank door of the vehicle may be opened,and insertion of the gasoline pump nozzle or fuel delivery spout intothe closure device 20 will open the lid 32, avoiding the need to unscrewthe gas tank cap. Conventional closure of the gas tank door of thevehicle may isolate the interior of the gas tank from the exterior byhelp of the closure device 20.

FIG. 12 shows a more elaborate block diagram of a closure device 20,which better depict the abilities thereof. In contrast with the blockdiagram of FIG. 1, the support now features seals, such as a lid seal 70and a support or bushing seal 72, and force enhancement means, such asprovided by one or more magnets 80.

In addition, a pressure relief device 180, or pressure relief valve 180may be integrated within the support 40 to prevent excessive pressure tobuild-up in the interior of a container 10. A relief valve is a type ofvalve used to control or limit the pressure in a system or a container,which can build up by a process upset, instrument or equipment failure,or fire. The build-up of excessive pressure ambient in the interior ofthe container 10 is relieved when the pressurized fluid is allowed toflow thereout via the pressure relief device 180. The relief valve 180is designed or set to open at a predetermined pressure to protectpressure vessels and other equipment from being subjected to pressuresthat exceed their design limits. When the pressure setting is exceeded,the relief valve becomes the “path of least resistance” as the valve isforced open and a portion of the fluid is diverted out of the container10. The diverted fluid, such as liquid, gas liquid-gas mixture, powder,granules or the like, is usually routed to the atmosphere. As the fluidis diverted, the pressure inside the container 10 will drop. Once itreaches the re-seating pressure of the relief device 180, the valve willclose again.

Alternatively, the relief device 180 may be configured as a rupture diskor diaphragm or membrane, or as a pop-out member such as a sealed rubbergrommet, all well known in the art.

The various features of the closure device 20 described hereinabove maybe implemented in combination in any of the illustrated implemetations.For example, a wall of the container 10 may operate as the support 40and the orifice 11 of the container may operate as the opening 12.Alternatively, the support 40 may be coupled to a wall of the container10 and the orifice 11 of the container may be operated as the opening12.

The description hereinabove relates to a method for the implementationof a closure device 20, and to a closure device 20.

In use, a user may buy the opening closure 20 off-the-shelf as anindependent stand-alone unit, or as integrated within a replacement unitor assembly, or as a portion of a container for integration into thecontainer, or as readily integrated within the structure of thecontainer. For example, in the case of an oil drum, the originallysupplied closure may be removed and replaced by an opening closure 20,ensuring a normally closure of the drum while facilitating frequent orintermittent retrieval of the fluid contained in the oil drum while.Alternatively, the top portion 14 of oil drums may be readilymanufactured to inherently include a closure device 20, for supply ofsuch enhanced top portions to manufacturers of oil drums. The oil drummay also be fabricated by the manufacturer of oil drums to include astructurally incorporated closure device 20.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The embodiments described hereinabove are applicable in industry, forexample with drums and barrels.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art, that the presentinvention is not limited to what has been particularly shown anddescribed hereinabove. For example, the closure device is also a systemor a device for use in association with a fluid, such as contained in apiping system or a supply of fluid in general. The closure device may beapplied to containers associated with vehicles such as transportedcontainers or inherent to the vehicle, such as tanks of combustion fuel,to various vessels used in laboratories, in industry and in households.Evidently, the closure device 20 may be implemented as an aggregation ofvarious portions coupled together by means known to those skilled in theart, instead of a minimal number of components. Furthermore, the closuredevice 20 may be coupled to the walls or to the bottom of the container.In addition, at least one portion of the device may closure device 20may be heat treated and/or protected by a surface finish treatment suchas coating, cladding or painting. Rather, the scope of the presentinvention is defined by the appended claims and includes bothcombinations and subcombinations of the various features describedhereinabove as well as variations and modifications thereof which wouldoccur to persons skilled in the art upon reading the foregoingdescription.

LIST OF ITEMS

-   10 container-   11 opening-   12 opening-   14 container top-   16 female screw thread on the interior of the orifice 102-   20 closure device-   30 member    -   32 lid        -   322 concave depression of lid 32        -   324 lid free extremity    -   34 lid attachment    -   36 force applicator    -   38 lid guide        -   301 mid-section            -   302 attached end of the member 30            -   304 curved portion of the member 30                -   306 wound coil coupled end                -   308 laterally extending protrusions-   40 support-   42 support attachment-   50 cap-   52 male cap screw thread-   54 link-   60 faucet-   61 faucet end portion 61-   62 faucet male screw thread-   64 faucet threaded extremity-   66 valve-   70 lid seal-   72 bushing seal-   80 magnet-   90 flange-   100 bushing-   101 inverted bushing-   102 orifice-   104 male screw thread on the bushing 100-   106 hollow passage in the bushing 100-   108 aperture-   110 bushing bottom-   112 groove-   114 bushing entrance-   116 bushing top-   118 passage female screw thread-   120 parallelepiped recess-   122 protrusion-recess-   124 slit-   126 lid seal groove-   128 bushing head-   130 bushing seal groove-   132 bushing head face-   134 magnet receptacle-   140 bushing post-   141 bracket-   142 cut-   143 back portion-   144 side leg-   145 lid rim lip-   150 Intermediate Bulk Container, or IBC-   152 IBC orifice 152-   154 IBC male extension 154-   156 IBC external screw thread-   158 hollow connector bushing-   160 female internal connector screw thread-   162 protruding extremity-   164 retention ring-   166 dashed line-   168 fastening slots-   169 second downstream end-   170 faucet device-   172 faucet male external screw thread-   174 faucet hollow male protrusion-   176 faucet downstream extremity-   180 pressure relief device-   IN container-   EX container exterior interior

1. A method for implementing a normally-closed openable closure deviceoperative in association with a container having an exterior and aninterior, the container having container walls for retaining fluidtherein and at least one container orifice which is entered into acontainer wall, the closure device comprising: a support coupled insealed connection to the orifice of the container, the support includingan opening allowing fluid communication from the exterior to theinterior of the container and vice versa, a support attachment coupledto the support, a member configured for coupling to the supportattachment, the member comprising: a lid configured for closing theopening in normally-closed and sealed disposition, a lid attachment forcoupling the lid to the support attachment, and a lid guide configuredfor the lid, the method comprising the steps of: configuring the memberas at least one single piece of material including the lid attachment, aforce applicator, the lid guide and the lid, configuring the forceapplicator for urging the lid normally-close against the opening,coupling the lid attachment to the support attachment while allowing aplurality of degrees of freedom of motion of the lid, and coupling thelid guide to the support and configuring the lid, guide for controllablyorienting and guiding motion of the lid for closing onto the opening. 2.The method according to claim 1, wherein: the support is coupled to theorifice in releasable or in fixed connection, or is integral to thecontainer.
 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein: the forceapplicator is configured as a flexible and resilient curved leaf springor as a wound coil leaf spring.
 4. The method according to claim 1,wherein: the lid attachment, the lid guide and the support attachmentare configured for operation in mutual association for controlling,orienting, and guiding the lid onto and for normally closing and sealingthe opening.
 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein: the lid isconfigured to be lightweight relative to closure force exerted by theforce applicator, for avoiding acceleration forces from opening the lid.6. The method according to claim 1, wherein: the lid has a weight, andforce exerted by the force applicator is at least tenfold the weight ofthe lid.
 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein: the member isurged to align onto and close the opening in a motion selected alone andin combination from the group consisting of translation, pitch, yaw, androll.
 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein: the support iscoupled to the interior or the exterior of the container.
 9. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein: the member has at least one protrusionconfigured to enhance orientation control and guidance of the lid toclose on the opening.
 10. The method according to claim 1, wherein: thelid attachment is rolled-up, formed as a wound coil leaf spring andfirmly coupled into a recess.
 11. A normally-closed openable closuredevice operative in association with a container having an exterior andan interior, the container having container walls for retaining fluidtherein and at least one container orifice which is entered into acontainer wall, the closure device comprising: a support coupled insealed connection to the orifice of the container, the support includingan opening allowing fluid communication from the exterior to theinterior of the container and vice versa, a support attachment coupledto the support, a member configured for coupling to the supportattachment, the member comprising: a lid configured for closing theopening in normally-closed and sealed disposition, a lid attachment forcoupling the lid to the support attachment, a lid guide configured fororienting the lid, wherein the member is configured as at least onesingle piece of material including the lid attachment, a forceapplicator, the lid guide, and the lid, wherein the force applicator isconfigured to urge the lid normally-closed against and seal the opening,wherein the lid attachment is coupled to the support attachment whileallowing a plurality of degrees of freedom of motion of the lid, andwherein the lid guide is coupled to the support and is configured tocontrollably orient and guide motion of the lid for closing onto theopening.
 12. The device according to claim 11, wherein: the forceapplicator is configured as a flexible and resilient curved leaf springor as a wound coil leaf spring.
 13. The device according to claim 11,wherein: the member is configured to be flexible and resilient and havea free end and a attached end, the force applicator is configured as awound-coil formed at the attached end of the member, and the forceapplicator urges the lid to close onto the opening.
 14. The deviceaccording to claim 11, wherein: a wall of the container operates as thesupport and the orifice of the container operates as the opening.
 15. Adevice according to claim 11, wherein the device is configured for usewith a standard Intermediate Bulk Container (IBC).
 16. The deviceaccording to claim 11, wherein: the support is coupled to the orifice inreleasable or in fixed connection, or is integral to the container. 17.The device according to claim 11, wherein: the lid is configured to belightweight relative to closure force exerted by the force applicator,for avoiding development of acceleration forces thereon.
 18. The deviceaccording to claim 11, wherein: the lid has a weight, and force exertedby the force applicator is at least tenfold the weight of the lid. 19.The device according to claim 11, wherein: the member is urged to alignonto and close the opening in a motion selected alone and in combinationfrom the group consisting of translation, pitch, yaw, and rolldeflection.
 20. The device according to claim 11, wherein: the memberhas at least one protrusion configured to enhance orientation controland guidance of the lid to close on the opening.